In early childhood education, trust and collaboration are foundational—not just for children, but for the adults who guide them. Yet across the sector, many educators report that unprofessional gossip among staff continues to undermine workplace culture, erode morale, and fracture team cohesion.
South Australia’s Education Minister Blair Boyer has conceded that critical reforms to the childcare sector should have been implemented earlier, following heightened public concern over child safety and regulatory oversight.
A proposed redevelopment in Avalon Beach has sparked widespread community outrage, with over 222 formal objections lodged against plans to build an early childhood service directly above a Dan Murphy’s liquor store.
Two alleged incidents of physical violence against a child at Amaze Early Education in Silkstone have prompted a formal investigation by Queensland Police. The reports, made within the past week, concern events that occurred over the last four months.
In early childhood education, care is our currency. We pour it into children, families, documentation, and compliance—but how often do we pause to ask, “R U OK?” to the person beside us? R U OK? Day isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a culture we cultivate. It’s a reminder that behind every ratio, roster, and regulation is a human heart doing its best. And sometimes, that heart needs to be asked, gently and genuinely, “How are you, really?”
In early childhood education and care, child safety is not just a number—it’s a practice. While educator-to-child ratios are essential, they are only one part of a broader obligation: ensuring adequate supervision at all times. Together, these two pillars—Regulation 122 and Section 165—form the foundation of safe, responsive, and compliant care.
Here are 5 gentle, emotionally intelligent, story-based resources designed to help young children understand body boundaries, safe adults, and protective behaviors.
Talking to young children about child protection is one of the most powerful ways to build their sense of safety, agency, and trust. It’s not about instilling fear—it’s about giving them language, confidence, and clarity to navigate their world. Here’s how to approach it with warmth, honesty, and age-appropriate care.
Safe language in documentation is more than just avoiding sensitive disclosures—it’s about writing in a way that protects children’s dignity, fosters trust with families, and upholds the professional integrity of educators. Here’s a guide to help you embed safe, respectful, and pedagogically sound language into your group and individual observations.
Writing a group observation in early childhood education is both an art and a strategic tool—it captures collective learning while honoring individual voices. Here's a guide to help you craft meaningful, pedagogically sound group observations that align with the planning cycle and resonate with families and educators alike.
In the NSW and VIC early childhood sector, safeguarding children and ensuring accountability in service operations are paramount. But what happens when a complaint—particularly one involving alleged harm to a child—is investigated by the Department of Education and deemed “inconclusive,” with no breach of law or regulation found? Can that decision be contested, and if so, how?
This article outlines the formal pathways available to services and individuals in NSW and VIC who seek to challenge departmental decisions, especially in cases where child safety concerns remain unresolved.
A deeply distressing incident at First Steps Learning Academy in Bangor, Sydney has triggered a formal investigation and widespread concern across the early childhood sector. On Monday afternoon, a toddler was mistakenly handed over to the wrong grandparent and taken home for several hours before being safely returned.
